Anybody use 0w 20 oil during winter?

[the tortoise]

Good call. We should all start using 15W-50 oils because thicker oil gives better protection, right?

As per your advice, I did a google search and didn't find anything conclusive to suggest that 5W-20 would cause more wear.

Now, I don't (and won't) use it. But that does't mean it will cause damage.

 

[the tortoise]

DieHonda,

thanks for the input. Good thing you checked it after only 4 days.

 

[Diehonda]

No problem, I check it weekly.

 

[CX-7owner]

http://bestsyntheticoil.com/dealers/amsoil/5w20-cafe.shtml
BMW makes some of the best and longest lasting engines, and they use 5W-30.

 

[the tortoise]

Question: What are the negative aspects of using a 5w20 oil?

Answer: 5w20 oil has less film and shear strength than a 5w30, 10w30 or a 0w30 motor oil. This can lead to increased engine wear under today's demanding heat and high-stress engine performance conditions.

Question: Is the above true of synthetics as well?

Answer: Yes and no. Depends upon what you're comparing. A 5w20 synthetic oil will likely have less film and shear strength than a synthetic 5w30, 10w30 or 0w30. However, if you compare that same synthetic 5w20 motor oil to a petroleum 5w30, or 10w30, it will likely have better film and shear strength.

Obviously, this means it will certainly have better film and shear strength than a petroleum 5w20 oil. So, if you'd feel more comfortable sticking with the manufacturer recommended 5w20, go with a quality synthetic oil.

So it "can" lead to more wear, not exactly conclusive.... Also, it looks like you'd be better off with a 5W-20 Synth than a 5w-30 dino.

 

[CX-7owner]

Can and will, they're an oil company, they will not be 100% unless they know 100% it will not come back to haunt them.

 

[Weborific]

At work now. I,ll be brief. Love the input, keep it coming!
Question... If the engine can take grade 5 (like 5W-30) then why can't it take grade 20 (like 5W-20)? Is it because it only remains at grade (weight?) of 5 for short period as the car warms up? What about in the summer??

 

[got snake?]

10w30 in summer. 5w30 winter.

 

[redpr5]

i use mobil 1 full synthetic 10w-30 and love it

 

[zerocover]

0W30 is the way to go for oil protection and performance (german castrol ftw). When the engine heats up it will have 30 wt protection. When its cold the oil will flow amazingly through everything. Its win win, go to the bob is the oil guy forums and read up.

20 wt oil is much too thin and will just get burned off esp if its dino/semi-synth. On that topic if you care about your oil get synthetic and dont cheap out with semi-synth which is only 10% synthetic. I run 5w-30 year round and the engine is solid.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Yea, German Syntec 0w30/K&N filter/occasional Lucas oil treatment. Motor likey many mile, but I've been on this merry-go-round more than once so y'all have at it...

 

[nanook223]

whether racing a strip or just drivin through town i always used 5w30 synthetic royal purple and it seems to give me the best performance for all temperature and gas mileage needs.give that a try.and my engine still runs quiet every morning when i start it up.not to mention how smooth the acceleration becomes with it.

 

[magnumP5]

i use mobil 1 full synthetic 10w-30 and love it

+1 I tried switching to Redline with the same weight and ran into some burning issues - I have the same problem at startup with 5w30 but that's just me. I just go by the factory manual and run 10w30 because where I live it doesn't get cold enough to warrant using 5w30 much and if it does I just don't drive. I see no reason for anyone who lives in the U.S. to run anything thinner than 5w30 it just doesn't get that cold.